Hello everyone, I’m Laura, 34, and I’m from Finland. I’ve lived in Tokyo for a long time, and living internationally has become a big part of who I am. Wherever life takes me, my roots will always be in Finland. I’m very grateful and excited for the opportunity to represent Finland through Miss Europe Continental.
– How would you describe your personality in three words?
Adventurous, determined and genuine. I also think people are a little like books; the cover only tells you so much, and you have to turn a few pages to really know someone.
– What are the three qualities you feel represent you best? And is there a part of your personality that you’re still learning to understand and discover?
Resilience, curiosity and empathy. I love learning, experiencing new things and seeing life from different perspectives. I’m still learning to have the courage to leave behind parts of myself, or paths, that no longer feel true to who I’m becoming. I think there is a certain freedom in allowing yourself to change without feeling that you have to explain or justify it.
– What fascinates and intrigues you most about people and the world around you?
What fascinates me most is how differently people can experience the same world. I’m interested in what shapes a person’s values, ambitions and perspective, and I love conversations that make me reconsider something I thought I understood. And yet beneath those differences, I’m often struck by how much we have in common
– We know that travelling is one of your passions. Has there been a particular travel experience that changed your perspective on something or made you see the world differently?
A solo trip to Sri Lanka was particularly meaningful to me. Travelling alone, kitesurfing and meeting people from very different backgrounds reminded me how liberating it is to stop waiting for others before doing the things you want to do. I was also struck by conversations with locals about the environmental changes they were witnessing, particularly along the coast and with rising sea levels. Hearing about those changes directly and then seeing some of their effects for myself left a lasting impression on me and made me more conscious of the choices I make in everyday life. But my biggest lesson from the trip was simple; don’t wait for life, go live it.
– What does dressing well mean to you? Is it about following trends, expressing your personality through what you wear, or simply feeling comfortable and confident in yourself?
To me, dressing well is less about following trends than understanding what makes you feel confident and like yourself. The right outfit can completely change the way you feel about yourself and even the way you enter a room. I also love dressing for special occasions and themed parties, especially a Gatsby evening, where fashion becomes a little more playful and expressive.
– How do you feel about representing Finland on an international stage?
I feel extremely proud and very grateful. Living internationally has actually made me appreciate Finland even more, particularly our honesty and independence, as well as the value we place on equality, education and trust. There are many things I once took for granted that I learned to appreciate differently after seeing my country from the outside. It feels very special to carry that with me onto an international stage.
– What do you think we can learn from one another through experiences like this?
I think experiences like this are a wonderful reminder of how much women can encourage and empower one another. They bring together women with very different backgrounds, ambitions and ideas of beauty, and there is something powerful in learning from those differences while appreciating what each person brings. Supporting another woman’s strengths does not diminish your own; if anything I think it gives all of us greater confidence to be fully ourselves.
– Is there a particular era, woman, or fashion icon who, in your eyes, embodies the idea of elegance that resonates most with you? Who inspires you the most, and why?
I’ve always had a soft spot for classic glamour, and Marilyn Monroe has always inspired me. I love the elegance, femininity and glamour she brought to fashion, as well as the individuality behind such an iconic image. Dolly Parton is another woman I greatly admire. I grew up with her music through my parents, and I admire her humour, generosity, business instinct and the confidence with which she has always embraced her own style. I might not dress quite as glamorously as either of them every day, but at least we have the blonde hair in common!
– Is there a project or a vision you would love to build one day under your own name? Absolutely! I have a creative idea that I would love to develop under my own name, although I might keep the details a little secret for now. Painting has also been a passion of mine for years, although I can be quite shy about showing my work. One of my secret dreams is to have an exhibition of my own one day and if possible, use it to support a cause I care about.
– What would you like people to remember about you after the competition?
I would love people to remember that I embraced the experience fully and was willing to step beyond what was expected of me. If my journey encourages someone else not to let their circumstances or other people’s expectations define the limits of their dreams, that would mean a great deal to me.
– What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self not to wait for complete certainty before taking a chance. Some opportunities only reveal their value once you commit to them wholeheartedly, and sometimes the path becomes clear only after you begin.
– What is your biggest dream?
My biggest personal dream is to finally have a horse of my own and to be settled enough to train and compete consistently. Horses have been part of my life for so long, and I would love to reach a point where riding and competing have a permanent place in my everyday life rather than being something I have to fit around everything else.
– Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, I hope my life feels both rooted and expansive; a beautiful and grounded home, meaningful work, the freedom to travel, and the people I love close, with all the different parts of my life fitting together naturally. And if I allow myself to dream a little bigger, I hope I have achieved something of real value and reached a position where I can create opportunities for others.
– Finally, what message would you like to share with everyone who will be supporting you from Finland?
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone in Finland who has supported me and followed this journey. It means a great deal to know that people at home are sharing the experience with me. I will carry that support with me to Italy and do my very best to represent Finland with warmth, confidence and integrity.
FOLLOW LAURA ON INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/just.lauravictoria
